2020 Love Purple Live Gold Awards Recognize Outstanding Students and Organizations
Student awards were announced online to celebrate excellence in campus involvement
06/11/2020
BATON ROUGE – LSU Campus Life celebrated outstanding leaders, advisors, and student
organizations with the Love Purple Live Gold Award announcements on Thursday, May
7.
While current circumstances forced this celebration online, the number of nominations were still significant with 150 applications submitted. In total, 16 awards were given out to outstanding student leaders and organizations for their efforts during the 2019-20 academic year. The awards were announced on the Campus Life Instagram, Facebook and website pages. Special video appearances were made by several head coaches from LSU Athletics including Nikki Fargas, Beth Torina and Will Wade.
2020 Love Purple Live Gold Awards recipients include:
Agent of Change Award: Ashley Denise Sheffield, senior, political science, Covington,
La.
Sheffield regularly meets with students across Southern Louisiana and supports them
in their feminist activism. She never gives up, whether she is standing on the steps
of the Louisiana State Capitol, working to make a difference in Washington, D.C.,
marching for equality in Austin, Texas, or meeting with fellow activists from across
the nation in California.
Emerging Leader Award: Brooke Lowenkron, senior, dietetics, Baton Rouge, La.
Lowenkron demonstrates enhancing personal leadership skills and takes active roles
in student organizations. Brooke has exhibited a commitment to LSU and the surrounding
community while demonstrating an ability to follow through with commitments.
Legacy Award: Mae Anne Claire Mangaoil, senior, chemical engineering, Baton Rouge,
La.
Mangaoil demonstrated a history of holding progressively responsible leadership positions
as well as impacting more than one area of the university community. She demonstrated
the ability to recognize a need and affect positive change, collaborated with other
students, and served as a role model for other students.
Unsung Hero Award: Jennifer N. Nguyen, senior, political science, Houma, La.
Nguyen is a role model who has made a positive impact on the entire organization.
The recipient of this award is described to have “infectious energy” and inspires
other LSU students to get involved on campus. Jennifer is a member of many organizations,
including Student Government, LSU Ambassadors, Stripes and Chi Omega Sorority.
Commitment to Community Award: Les Voyageurs
Les Voyageurs is an organization that proudly adheres to the tenants stated in the
Commitment to Community. Their mission is to serve the university, their College (of
Agriculture), our community, the agriculture industry, and the world through campus
involvement, service, and active citizenship. They participate in various campus events
such as Admitted Student Days, Destination LSU, and Fall Fest. They also travel to
New Orleans each Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend to participate in service projects
across the city. Their work with high school students across Louisiana should also
be highlighted – they coordinate more than 20 high schools visits throughout the year.
Academic/Educational Program: Society of Peer Mentors
This program focused on a specific discipline or topic that furthers knowledge in
that area and encourages dialogue and learning among the attendees.
Advocacy Program: Tiger Prison Project
The Advocacy Program Award is presented to the organization with the best program
that exemplifies dedication towards the welfare of a cause, global topic, or existing
social issue. The program selected for this award will have engaged students through
creating awareness, providing solutions, and promoting social change. For their program,
this organization hosted the Tiger Prison Project Movie Night
Collaborative Program Award: Minority Women’s Movement, Office of Multicultural Affairs
and Olinde Career Center
The Collaborative Program Award is presented to the organization with the best program
implemented through collaboration with another student organization or university
department. This collaborative effort hosted Diversity at Work.
Multicultural/Diversity Program Award: Black Male Leadership Initiative
The Multicultural/Diversity Program Award is presented to the organization with the
best program aiming to build positive interactions among different cultures and promotes
awareness of cultural and global issues. The Black Male Leadership Initiative hosted
The Chop, a program geared towards having safe space conversations with males while
getting haircuts from local barbers.
Service/Volunteer Program: Student Nutrition and Dietetics
The Service/Volunteer Program Award is presented to the organization with the best
program focused on community service and volunteerism. The organization hosted Student
Nutrition and Dietetics Community Outreach.
The Social Program: Tiger Cricket Club
The Social Program award is presented to the organization with the best program focused
on enhancing student involvement through broad based campus programs, allowing students
to meet new people while having fun in an alcohol and drug free environment. The earn
this honor, the Tiger Cricket Club hosted the Gully Cricket Tournament.
Undergraduate Student Leader of the Year Award: Mia Reed, junior, mechanical engineering,
New Orleans, La.
The Undergraduate Student Leader of the Year Award is presented to an undergraduate
student who has made a significant contribution to the quality of life at LSU. As
the current president for the Society of Peer Mentors, Mia Reed led recruitment efforts
to increase membership and provide a welcoming environment that embraces students
from all backgrounds, particularly regarding race, ethnicity and gender.
Advisor of the Year: Krishna P. Paudel, advisor to the Nepalese Student Association
Through volunteering outside of their regular day-to-day responsibilities, this advisor
fostered relationships among the association and provided guidance and support, while
encouraging the group to achieve its goals.
Graduate Student Leader of the Year Award: Srikanth Bangaru, Ph.D. student, construction
management, India
The Graduate Student Leader of the Year Award is presented to a graduate student
who has made a significant contribution to the quality of life at LSU. Congratulations
to Ph.D. student, Srikanth.
New Student Organization of the Year Award: Black Women Empowerment Initiative
Created between January 2018 and December 2019, Black Women Empowerment Initiative
has demonstrated their commitment to the mission of the organization as well as academics,
leadership development, student involvement, diversity, service and collaboration.
Student Organization of the Year: Association of Black Communicators
The Association of Black Communicators has demonstrated continuous commitment to
the mission of the organization as well as academic excellence, leadership development,
student involvement, diversity, service, and collaboration. Open to all students,
this year’s award winner provides exposure and pride by galvanizing students from
across the campus to better understand not only our differences, but what brings us
together as LSU students. One of their many contributions this year was to provide
free professional headshots so that students could enhance their portfolios.
Visit http://lsu.edu/campuslife to view the complete list of nominees, winners, and videos.
LSU Campus Life supports and advises student organizations that uphold the three tenets of Campus Life: Involvement, Leadership and Service. These organizations include Geaux Big Baton Rouge, Homecoming Student Committee, Involvement Krewe, Service Breaks, Student Activities Board and Volunteer LSU. LSU Campus Life also works closely with more than 400 student organizations, countless student organization leaders and organization advisers, and is home to some of LSU's biggest traditions. LSU Campus Life strives to make LSU an increasingly vibrant campus community. Visit http://lsu.edu/campuslife for more information.
Contact Alison Paz
LSU Campus Life
225-578-5955
apaz6@lsu.edu
or
Ernie Ballard
LSU Media Relations
225-578-5685
eballa1@lsu.edu